Lingerie chain La Senza to close more than half its stores as retail sector faces more job losses

High profile casualty: Former Miss England Katrina Hodge modelled for the chain

Lingerie retailer La Senza is to shut down 81 of its stores in another blow to the high street.

The closures, which will result in the loss of hundreds of jobs, comes in the wake of similar announcements by a slew of retail chains in the past week.

And industry analysts are predicting up to 30,000 retail jobs could be wiped out this year as businesses struggle in a 'retail recession'.

La Senza sought administration last week and today its website confirmed that many of its 146 UK stores will be closing down. Among the casualties are branches in Bath, Belfast, Edinburgh, Newcastle and London.

The chain, which employs 2,600 staff, was founded in Canada in 1990 and now operates more than 480 stores in 45 countries.

The UK division was once owned by Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis, who sold it in 2006 for a reported £100million.

Pop Group The Pussycat Dolls created their own brand of lingerie through the chain and former Miss England Katrina Hodge has modelled for the store.

But despite its high profile - and a surge in sales over the Christmas period - the chain has been unable to thrive in the current economic slump. It blamed 'trading conditions' as one of the reasons for the closures.